Alberta is set to introduce new legislation allowing individuals to pay for diagnostic and preventative tests like MRIs, CT scans, and full-body scans without a physician’s referral. While some private testing already exists in the province, the government acknowledges the current limitations and assures that costs for medically necessary tests will be reimbursed if a significant condition is detected.
The government believes this move will enhance access to healthcare services, alleviate strain on public resources, and lead to early detection and improved health outcomes. Alberta’s Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services, Adriana LaGrange, characterizes the initiative as a step towards modernizing the healthcare system by attracting investments and healthcare professionals to bolster preventative care across the province.
However, critics, including Dr. Paul Parks, express concerns that expanding private pay access to diagnostic imaging could exacerbate inequalities in healthcare and burden the public system. They fear that those with financial means will receive faster and superior care, potentially overwhelming public healthcare facilities.
On the issue of technician availability, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith emphasizes that the challenge lies not in a shortage of technicians but in the limited number of procedures funded by the province. Smith advocates for utilizing the full capacity of healthcare facilities and enabling individuals to undergo preventative and diagnostic tests with reimbursement for necessary treatments.
While some, like Renaud Brossard from the Montreal Economic Institute, support the idea, others, such as Dr. Paul Parks, argue that diverting technologists to private sector roles could worsen staffing shortages in public hospitals. Parks highlights existing disparities in access to MRIs between private and public sectors and warns that the exodus of skilled workers to private facilities could strain the public system further.
The government maintains that the expansion of private pay options will not deplete the workforce, as new workers continuously enter the healthcare sector. They assert that growth in both public and private sectors creates employment opportunities and that increasing access to preventative screening can lead to better health outcomes without causing backlogs.
Dr. Eddy Lang, from the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care, cautions against the widespread availability of preventative screening tests, citing potential risks of unnecessary follow-up procedures and anxiety. He stresses the importance of evidence-based decision-making in healthcare policies to ensure patient safety and effective resource utilization.
As Alberta plans to consult stakeholders and introduce legislative changes to broaden preventive screening options, patients like Isabelle Cliche, who faces long wait times for diagnostic tests, eagerly anticipate improvements in access to healthcare services. The government aims to finalize these amendments in the first half of 2026 after gathering input from various stakeholders.
